Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 60

Stefan said seriously, "I want you to look into this thoroughly. Don't miss any clues. Whoever is trying to harm my Lucy, I won't let them go."

"I'll handle the task you've given me. But boss, you keep bringing up the love you have for Lucy, it kinda stings for a lonely bachelor like me."

Stefan glanced at Edgar and scoffed, "I'm not meddling in your love life. If you're feeling envious, you can totally find a nice girl and fall head over heels. There are plenty of beauties in the company who adore you, need me to hook you up?"

Upon hearing this, Edgar immediately waved the white flag. "Forget it, I don't want to deal with those troublesome women. Once they latch onto you, it's near impossible to shake them off."

"I feel like you're talking about me."

"If that's how you interpret it, there's not much I can do. Ms. Scott is back in the country. I think she's here for you. You better handle this situation before it causes trouble for your wife."

Stefan fell silent for a moment. "Lucy is not a damsel in distress, and I can't be protecting her every second. By marrying me, she has to face many people and situations; some things she has to deal with herself. Lucy also doesn't want me to be her constant guardian, she's an independent woman."

Edgar, aware of his boss' status, understood the hidden meaning in Stefan's words.

"Is there anything else you need, boss? If not, I'll get back to work."

Stefan poured himself a glass of water and said to Edgar, "Nope, you're not going anywhere. We have a meeting."

Oh yeah, there were two important meetings this morning. As the CEO's personal assistant, he couldn't be absent.

......

Ascend Estate.

A security guard with a letter approached Patrick who was doing his morning workout.

Every morning, Patrick would exercise in the yard, and Savannah would be nearby gardening, basically keeping him company.

This old couple had been in love since they got married. Even now, with their hair turned white, their affection for each other remained. Influenced by them, the men of the Anderson family were known to pamper their wives.

The security guard stood aside, not daring to interrupt Patrick's exercise.

"What is it?" Savannah noticed the envelope in the guard's hand, put down her trowel, and asked gently, "Is it a letter for him?"

"Yes, it is."

Savannah glanced at Patrick and told the guard, "Give me the letter, you can go back to work."

The guard quickly handed the envelope to Savannah and left.

Savannah sat down at a table under the gazebo with the letter.

The front of the envelope read, "To Patrick."

She touched the envelope and felt photos inside. She didn't open it as it was meant for Patrick. She would only see it if he was willing to show her after he had seen it. They had been husband and wife for decades; they respected each other and trusted each other, giving each other space.

In less than two minutes, Patrick came in. Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

"What's this?" He sat next to his wife and asked casually.

"I think it's a photo, why don't you open it and see if I'm right."

Patrick laughed, "Your guesses are usually spot on."

He picked up the envelope, read the words on it, opened it, and said to his wife, "Dear, I'm guessing this is about one of our grandsons' love affairs. Someone sent it to us, probably wanting us to do something."

"You have ten grandsons, which one of them would actively seek a relationship? Let's not talk about the youngest who just came of age, the oldest is Stefan who has quietly gotten married. But he hasn't brought his wife, whom I have never met, back to see us."

"We have seen her."

Savannah was somewhat discontented, "It's different to sneak a look and for him to bring her back to meet us. When we sneak a look, we can't tell her that we are her in-laws."

"He's already married, are you still afraid he won't bring her back? Just wait, it's bound to happen. This photo...is our granddaughter-in-law, who is the man in the photo?"

Patrick handed the photo to his wife while talking, "There's a note too."

The words on the note were also printed; the sender probably did not want the Anderson family to find him through his handwriting.

"Lucinda is an abandoned baby."

That was the content of the note.

Patrick frowned when he read the note. They knew that their granddaughter-in-law was not of the Moore family's bloodline, but few people knew about it. How did it get leaked and even used by someone with ulterior motives?

"The man in the photo should be Lucinda's ex-boyfriend, the one who dumped her a while ago, right?"

Savannah had investigated her eldest grandson's spouse thoroughly. Her network was even wider than Edgar's.

"The purpose of sending you these things is clear as day. They want to use you to break up Lucinda and Stefan."

After saying that, Savannah threw the photos on the table, her eyes full of delight when she looked at her husband. However, Patrick was fuming. "This bastard dares to use me. Do I look like a villain? Do I look like a bad guy who specializes in breaking up my children's marriages?"

"When it comes to the people in our family, you value background the most, second to none."

Savannah didn't hesitate to rebuke her husband.

Patrick was so angry that his beard twitched and his eyes bulged, his old face flushed. "I went to see our granddaughter-in-law with you! Did you see me look down on her?"

Savannah laughed, "That's because you found out that Lucinda was the girl your grandson had been pursuing for ten years. Knowing how much he takes after you, you were afraid that if you said no, your precious grandson would throw a fit."

Patrick, "...It sounds like Stefan isn't your grandson."

"I've always loved Stefan very much, and I would never do anything to hinder him from being with Lucinda."

Patrick was rendered speechless. Yep, he was not totally head over heels for Lucinda. The Moores were clearly not in the same league as the Andersons.

But, the Moores had an impeccable pedigree, good family values, and they were tight-knit. A family like that was bound to raise a top-notch daughter.

When picking a wife, you could forget about status, going for someone who was decent and virtuous. That was the Anderson's family motto.

"Who are you saying is using me?" Patrick changed the subject, not in the mood for his wife's ribbing.

"You're no dummy, can't you figure it out? And hey, wanna play bad guy for once?" Savannah had a teasing glint in her eyes, mixed with a hint of excitement.

Patrick felt the hairs on his neck stand up. His wife was up to her old tricks again.

How did he end up marrying a prankster like her, spoiling her for decades, and filling the house with their kids and grandkids!